MDA Space, the Brampton, Ont.-based engineering company that built the famous Canadarm attachment for the International Space Station, reported communicating with Defence Minister Bill Blair in March to participate in “current and future defence programs in space, maritime and aerial domains.”

MDA vice-president of corporate communications Amy MacLeod said the registration was related to the company’s participation in roundtable discussions with Blair and multiple other companies about Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. According to a release, the discussions “focused on making our investments more strategic through long-term partnerships, shoring up an innovative, effective and stronger Canadian defence industrial base.”